Japan » Getting to Tokyo

 Approximate flight time from London to Tokyo is 12 hours.

By Air

Japan's most important international airport is Tokyo's Narita Airport, followed by Osaka's Kansai Airport and Nagoya's Central Japan Airport. Japan's fourth largest international airport is Fukuoka Airport, which links the city with several Asian destinations. Other Japanese airports offer small numbers of international flights mainly to Korea, China and other Asian destinations.

By Rail

Japan's four major islands, Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are covered by an extensive and reliable network of railways. Trains are a very convenient means to explore Japan for foreign visitors, thanks to the Japan Rail Pass. About 70 percent of Japan's railway networks are owned and operated by the Japan Railways (JR), while the remaining 30 percent belong to several dozens of private railway companies, especially in and around metropolitan areas. Rail passes entitle their holders to unlimited usage of trains in a designated area. There is a variety of nationwide and regional rail passes available in Japan. The best of them all is the Japan Rail Pass, but other rail passes can be more suitable, depending on your itinerary.

By Sea

For visitors on a budget or for those who simply have a sense of adventure and some time to spare, travelling overland between Japan and Europe or Asia can be an attractive alternative to air travel. There are several different routes to Japan, many of which combine long distance rail travel on services such as the Trans-Siberian, Trans-Manchurian and Trans-Mongolian Railways, with ferry transport. Many of these international ferry services are very popular and advance reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made through major travel agencies within Japan, directly with the ferry company or at your port of departure. Ferry schedules are subject to seasonal changes and may also vary according to the weather. It is best to confirm schedule details with the relevant ferry company or at local tourist information centres within Japan.

By Bus

Japan is covered by a dense highway bus network. Every prefecture and larger city is served by at least one bus company, operating lines into other parts of the country. On major routes, such as the Tokyo - Nagoya - Kyoto - Osaka route, fierce competition has resulted in very low fares. On most other routes, the bus companies are often cooperating rather than competing with each other. Travelling by bus is one of the most cost-effective ways of getting around Japan. Although journey times are longer than those on the country's famous high-speed rail network, Japan's long distance bus services are a comfortable and efficient alternative for visitors who are travelling on a budget.